74 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW 



mildew, or any such defect is expected in high-class 

 grapes. Muscat of Alexandria should be of an amber 

 colour when well finished, and other "white" varieties 

 must be equally developed according to the variety. 

 "Black" grapes must also be of a rich deep colour, not 

 red, which is a sign of imperfection, and a distinct bloom 

 should entirely cover them. 



Faults. These, chiefly, are loose, ungainly, ill-balanced 

 bunches, or overcrowded and undersized berries ; lack of 

 colour, or loss of bloom. It must be remembered that the 

 shape of the bunches varies considerably, in different 

 varieties. 



" For exhibition purposes Bowood Muscat, Charles- 

 worth Tokay, and Tyninghame Muscat are to be 

 regarded as synonymous with Muscat of Alexandria, 

 and cannot be shown as distinct varieties. In the same 

 way Gros Maroc and Cooper's Black are considered 

 synonymous." Ex. Royal Horticultural Society's 

 " Rules for Judging." 



CURRANTS 



Red and White Currants are expected to be large- 

 berried, in long, close-set clusters, the berries transpar- 

 ently clear, clean, and bright. They are usually shown 

 in the bunch. Black Currants may be and generally are 

 exhibited as picked for preserving. They should be 

 rich, glossy black, and large. 



GOOSEBERRIES 



Dessert gooseberries must be fresh, large, firm, clean, 

 ripe, but not bursting, and of good colour. Dullness 

 and undersize are defects. 



In the " heavy-weight " competitions at the special 

 Gooseberry Shows, the great object is size and weight. 

 The heaviest berry at Harborne (Birmingham) Show in 



